§ 20-56-305 — Prohibitions on advertising and use of certain symbols

(a) (1) A cultivation facility shall not advertise through any public medium or means designed to market products to the public. (2) A cultivation facility may market products directly to a dispensary by any means directed solely to the dispensary and not available to the public. (b) (1) Advertising for medical marijuana by a dispensary shall not: (A) Contain a statement that is deceptive, false, or misleading; (B) Contain any content that can reasonably be considered to target children, including without limitation: (i) A cartoon character; (ii) A toy; or (iii) Any other similar item or image typically marketed to children; (C) Encourage the transportation of medical marijuana across state lines; (D) Display consumption of marijuana; (E) Contain material that encourages or promotes marijuana for use as an intoxicant; or (F) Contain material that encourages excessive or rapid use or consumption of medical marijuana. (2) Advertising and marketing for medical marijuana shall include at least one (1) of the following statements: (A) "Marijuana is for use by qualified patients only. Keep out of reach of children."; (B) "Marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding poses potential harms to an unborn child or child."; (C) "Marijuana is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat, cure, or prevent any disease."; or (D) "Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana." (3) A dispensary shall not make any deceptive, false, or misleading assertion or statement on any informational material, any sign, or any document provided to a consumer. (4) A dispensary shall not place or maintain, or cause to be placed or maintained, any advertisement or marketing material for medical marijuana in the following locations: (A) Within one thousand feet (1,000') of the perimeter of a public or private school or daycare center; (B) On or in a public transit vehicle or public transit shelter; or (C) On or in a publicly owned or operated property. (5) (A) A dispensary shall not utilize television, radio, print media, or the internet to advertise and market medical marijuana, unless the dispensary has reliable evidence that no more than thirty percent (30%) of the audience for the program, publication, or website in or on which the advertisement is to air or appear is reasonably expected to be under eighteen (18) years of age. (B) Upon request by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, a dispensary shall provide the evidence relied upon to make the determination that no more than thirty percent (30%) of the audience for the program, publication, or website in or on which the advertisement is to air or appear is reasonably expected to be under eighteen (18) years of age. (6) A cultivation facility or dispensary shall not offer any coupons, rebates, or promotions for medical marijuana purchases, unless offered as part of a compassionate care plan presented to the Medical Marijuana Commission as part of the application for licensure. (7) A cultivation facility or dispensary, or both, shall not use any of the following images within an advertisement: (A) A cross of any color; (B) A caduceus; or (C) Any other symbol that is commonly associated with the practice of medicine or the practice of pharmacy. (c) (1) A cultivation facility or dispensary shall have no more than three (3) signs visible to the general public from the public right-of-way that identify the cultivation facility or dispensary by the business name of the cultivation facility or dispensary. (2) A sign shall not exceed thirty-six square feet (36 sq. ft.) in length or width. (3) A sign shall be placed inside the window of the cultivation facility or dispensary or attached to the outside of the building of the cultivation facility or dispensary. (4) A sign shall not display any content or symbol that: (A) Can reasonably be considered to target children, including without limitation: (i) A cartoon character; (ii) A toy; or (iii) A similar image or item typically marketed to children; or (B) Is commonly associated with the practice of medicine or the practice of pharmacy, including without limitation: (i) A cross of any color; (ii) A caduceus; or (iii) Any other symbol that is commonly associated with the practice of medicine, the practice of pharmacy, or health care in general.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 205,§ 5, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2021, No. 342,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021. Added by Act 2019, No. 928,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019.